Empty container washer

ABSTRACT

A washing apparatus including a magnetic conveyor having an endless conveyor belt extending between and movably supported on a pair of spaced magnetic pulleys. Further magnets are mounted directly adjacent and substantially coextensive with the upper and lower reaches of the belt. A housing at least partially surrounds the magnetic conveyor and forms a tunnel directly under the lower reach of the belt. A plurality of spray heads are positioned within the tunnel for permitting spraying of a suitable cleansing fluid. Empty metal containers are fed directly onto the upper reach of the magnetic conveyor, whereupon they travel around one of the pulleys and then along the lower reach and through the tunnel where they are cleaned and sterilized. The containers then travel around the other magnetic pulley back onto the upper reach, whereupon the reinverted containers can then be discharged directly to a filling apparatus or the like.

United States Patent Kramb et a1.

Feb. 4, 1975 EMPTY CONTAINER WASHER [75] Inventors: Kenneth D. Kramb, Portage;

Richard L. Cramer, Kalamazoo; Walter J. Isabell, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, all of Mich.

[73] Assignee: K.I.C. Incorporated, Kalamazoo,

Mich.

[22] Filed: June 23, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 265,504

[52] US. Cl 134/131, 134/133, 198/41 [51] Int. Cl. 365g 17/46, B67c 1/06 [58] Field of Search 134/48, 68,72, 125, 127, 134/128, 130, 131, 170; 15/70; 198/41 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 784,504 3/1905 Rubin 134/48 2,642,994 6/1953 Casson 198/41 X 2,750,611 6/1956 Chatel 134/172 X 2,826,207 3/1958 Krupp et al.... 134/72 x 3,190,298 6/1965 Faller et al 134/131 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,105,303 8/1971 Germany 198/41 945,887 l/1964 Great Britain 198/41 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Advertisement Pamphlet of Bunting Magnetics Co.,

Franklin Park, 111., received in US. Patent Office; pages 1 and 6-8 are sufficient; Class 198/41 on 12/30/1966 Primary Examiner-Daniel Blum Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn [57] ABSTRACT A washing apparatus including a magnetic conveyor having an endless conveyor belt extending between and movably supported on a pair of spaced magnetic pulleys. Further magnets are mounted directly adjacent and substantially coextensive with the upper and lower reaches of the belt. A housing at least partially surrounds the magnetic conveyor and forms a tunnel directly under the lower reach of the belt. A plurality of spray heads are positioned within the tunnel for permitting spraying of a suitable cleansing fluid. Empty metal containers are fed directly onto the upper reach of the magnetic conveyor, whereupon they travel around one of the pulleys and then along the lower reach and through the tunnel where they are cleaned and sterilized. The containers then travel around the other magnetic pulley back onto the upper reach, whereupon the reinverted containers can then be discharged directly to a filling apparatus or the like.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures JENT D 4195 3.863.658

SHEET 10F 2 I PATENTEDF 41975 SHEEI 2 [IF 2.

EMPTY CONTAINER WASHER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved apparatus for washing magnetizable metal articles and, in particular, to an improved washing apparatus which includes a magnetic conveyor for supporting metal containers whereby the containers can be fed directly into and out of the washing apparatus without requiring inverters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous washing devices have been devised utilizing magnetic conveyors for supporting metal containers in an inverted position to permit washing and sterilizing of the containers. However, most of these devices provide holding magnets in association with only the lower reach of the conveyor belt. These washing devices thus require that the upright containers be fed through an inverter to cause the containers to be turned upside down prior to their being supplied to the magnetized portion of the washer conveyor. Further, these devices discharge the washed and sterilized containers in an inverted position, whereupon the containers are then supplied to a further inverter to cause the containers to be reinverted into an upright position prior to supplying the containers to a filling machine. Providing inlet and outlet inverters necessarily increases the cost of the overall transporting system, and likewise increases the handling of the individual containers. Further, having to supply the sterilized containers to an inverter to reorient them in an upright position also requires that the inverter be maintained in a substantially sterile condition so as to not contaminate the containers prior to filling same. This thus complicates the overall sterilization process and increases the cost of same. Still further, inverters often limit the flow rate at which empty containers can be fed into or away from the washing apparatus, thereby preventing the washing apparatus from being utilized in the most efficient manner.

Another disadvantage associated with many of the prior washing apparatuses has been their lack of adaptability for use with various sizes of containers. Some of the prior machines have utilized a plurality of small magnetic plates interconnected at spaced intervals and designed for permitting an empty container to be deposited on each of the plates. The capacity of this machine is thus limited by the number of available plates and the spacing therebetween, and is thus not readily adaptable for use with widely varying numbers or sizes of containers. Further, this type of construction is extremely costly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved washing apparatus utilizing a magnetic conveyor therein, which apparatus overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages. Particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide:

1. An improved washing apparatus having an endless magnetic conveyor associated therewith, which conveyor permits empty metal containers to be discharged from the washing apparatus in an upright position, thereby eliminating the need for a discharge inverter.

2. A washing apparatus, as aforesaid, which permits the containers to be fed onto the magnetic conveyor in an upright position, thereby eliminating the need for an inlet inverter.

3. A washing apparatus, as aforesaid, wherein the magnetic conveyor includes magnet means associated with an endless conveyor belt over substantially the full length thereof so that metal containers can be directly fed onto and discharged from the upper reach of the belt, with the belt causing the containers to be inverted to permit washing and sterilizing of same when supported on and depending downwardly from the lower reach of the belt.

4. A washing apparatus, as aforesaid, which accommodates containers of widely varying size.

5. A washing apparatus, as aforesaid, which permits a high rate of container flow through the apparatus while still permitting proper washing and sterilization of the containers.

6. A washing apparatus, as aforesaid, which includes a pair of spaced magnetic pulleys for supporting the conveyor belt and which further includes magnets associated with and extending substantially coextensively along both the upper and lower reaches of the belt to permit the empty containers to be magnetically supported on both the upper and lower reaches of the belt and on the belt as it passes around the end pulleys.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with devices of this type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a washing apparatus constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the-apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the magnetic conveyor, same being taken substantially along the line III-lIl of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line lV-IV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a broken, perspective view of one manner in which the empty containers can be fed onto and off of the upper reach of the magnetic conveyor.

FIG. 6 is a top, fragmentary, diagramatic view of an alternate manner in which the empty containers can be fed onto and off of the upper reach of the magnetic conveyor.

FIG. 7 is a top, fragmentary, diagramatic view of still I a further manner in which the empty containers can be fed onto'and off of the upper reach of the magnetic conveyor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a washing apparatus which includes a magnetic conveyor having a substantially endless belt supported upon a pair of spaced pulleys. The magnetic conveyor is positioned so that the belt includes substantially parallel, horizontally extending upper and lower belt reaches extending between the pulleys. The lower pulley passes over a washing tunnel formed in the apparatus and the upper belt reach is positioned for permitting empty containers, such as metal cans, to be deposited thereon. Suitable magnets are disposed adjacent both the upper and lower reaches of the belts, and magnets are also associated with both of the belt support pulleys, whereby metal containers are thus magnetically held on the belt on both the upper and lower reaches and as the containers pass around the pulleys.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a container .washer 11 constructed according to the present invention. The washer 11 includes an elongated housing 12 supporting thereon a magnetic conveyor 13 which is used for transporting containers toward and away from a substantially conventional spraying device 14.

The housing 12 includes an elongated tunnel-like base portion 16 having a bottom or base wall 17 (FIG. 4) and substantially parallel sidewalls 18. A pair of narrow top walls 19 are fixed to the upper edges of the sidewalls 18 and extend inwardly toward one another. The top walls 19 are substantially horizontally spaced from one another and are disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor 13.

Housing 12 also includes an elongated top portion 21 having a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls 22 which are spaced inwardly from the sidewalls 18 of the base portion 16. The sidewalls 22 are positioned closely adjacent the inner edges of the top walls 19 and are fixedly secured to the top walls in any conventional manner, as by conventional angle brackets 23. The housing 12 also has suitable end walls 24 disposed at the opposite ends thereof for closing the ends of both the base and top portions 16 and 21, respectively.

The top housing portion 21 defines therein an elongated channel-like space 26, as defined between the opposed sidewalls 22. The channel-like space 26 accommodates therein the magnetic conveyor 13, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The channel-like space 26 is in open communication with a tunnel-like chamber 27 defined within the interior of the tunnel-like base portion 16, which tunnel-like chamber 27 extends longitudinally of the housing for receiving therein suitable containers, such as metal cans C2 which are open at one end, for permitting washing and sterilizing of same.

Considering now the magnetic conveyor 13, same includes a pair of spaced support pulleys 31 and 32 rotatably supported on the top housing portion 21 adjacent the opposite ends thereof and having an endless flat conveyor belt 33 movably supported thereon. The pulleys 31 and 32 are horizontally spaced from one another, whereupon the endless belt 33 thus includes substantially horizontally extending, parallel, upper and lower belt reaches 33A and 33B, respectively, extending between the pulleys 31 and 32. The belt 33 is preferably constructed of conventional material, such as neoprene or the like.

The pulley 31 is nonrotatably secured to a shaft 34 which extends substantially horizontally between the sidewalls 22. The sidewalls 22 have bearing assemblies 36 mounted thereon for rotatably supporting the opposite ends of the shaft 34. A conventional electric motor 37 is positioned externally of the housing 12 and is drivingly interconnected to the shaft 34 by any conventional means, such as by an intermediate gear-type speed reducer 38.

The other pulley 32 is similarly nonrotatably connected to a further shaft 41 which has its axis substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft 34. The shaft 41 also extends horizontally between the sidewalls 22, with the opposite ends of the shaft 41 being rotatably supported on bearing assemblies 42. The bearing assemblies 42 are mounted on slide members 43 which are slidably guided within elongated grooves 44 formed in the opposed sidewalls 22. Adjustment screws 46 are connected to the slide members 43, which adjustment screws are also engaged with brackets 47 fixed to the sidewalls 22. The adjustment screws 46 permit the pul' ley shaft 41 to be rotatably supported on the sidewalls in a fixed position, while at the same time they permit the pulley shaft to be displaced horizontally of the housing to thus vary the spacing between the pulley shafts 34 and 41 to permit proper tensioning of the conveyor belt 33. A similar adjustment structure can be associated with the shaft 34 if desired.

The lower belt reach 338 is magnetized by means of a first magnet means 48 which includes an elongated barlike permanent magnet 49 positioned closely adjacent and directly above the lower belt reach 338. The lower bar magnet 49 is substantially coextensive with the lower belt reach 338. with the opposite ends of the magnet 49 terminating closely adjacent the pulleys 31 and 32. The magnet 49 is provided with an elongated guide plate 51 on its lower surface, which guide plate is positioned closely adjacent the inner surface of the lower belt reach 338 to slidably guide same. The magnet 49 is secured to an elongated mounting plate 52 which is disposed directly above the magnet and extends transversely between the housing sidewalls 22. The mounting plate 52 is provided with flanges S3 adjacent the opposite edges thereof, which flanges are positioned adjacent and connected to the sidewalls 22 by bolts 54.

A second magnet means 56 is associated with the upper belt reach 33A. The second magnet means includes, in the illustrated embodiment, a pair of permanent barlike magnets 57 and 58 positioned closely adjacent and directly beneath the upper belt reach 33A. The magnets 57 and 58 are spaced from one another in the longitudinally extending direction of the belt reach 33A, and each is provided with a guide plate 59 secured to the upper surface thereof. The guide plates 59 are positioned in guiding and sliding engagement with the lower surface of the upper belt reach 33A. The magnets 57 and 58 are each fixedly mounted on a further mounting plate 61 which is identical to the mounting plate 52 and extends transversely between the sidewalls 22. The mounting plate 61 also has flanges 62 on the edges thereof which are fixedly connected to the sidewalls 22 by bolts 63.

The upper belt reach 33A is further guided by means of substantially horizontal flanges 64 (FIG. 4) which are formed on the upper edges of the opposed sidewalls 22 and project inwardly toward one another. The flanges 64 are positioned directly under the outer edges of the upper belt reach 33A to provide additional support for the belt. The flanges 64, as illustrated in FIG. 2, extend longitudinally substantially coextensively with the upper reach 33A but terminate directly adjacent the peripheries of the pulleys 31 and 32.

The magnetic conveyor 13 includes still further magnets 66 and 67 (FIG. 3) disposed within the interior of the pulleys 31 and 32, respectively. The magnets 66 and 67 are of annular construction so that the peripheral portions of the pulleys 31 and 32 as disposed in engagement with the conveyor belt 33 are continuously magnetized, even during rotation of the pulleys.

As is evident from the structure described above, the conveyor 13 is substantially magnetized throughout its complete endless path inasmuch as the upper reach of the conveyor is magnetized by the magnets 57 and 58,

and the lower reach is magnetized by the magnet 49. Further, the magnets 66 and 67 associated with the end pulleys maintain a magnetized zone at each end of the endless path so that a magnetic force of attraction exists for maintaining articles, particularly containers, in engagement with the belt 33 as the belt is moved throughout one complete loop.

Considering now the spraying device 14, same includes an inlet pipe 68 connected to the housing for supplying a cleaning fluid, such as hot water or steam. to the interior of the housing. The inlet pipe 68 is connected to a conventional external pressurized source of cleaning fluid. The housing I2 has a supply pipe 69 disposed internally thereof and running longitudinally along the bottom of the tunnel-like chamber 27, which supply pipe 69 is connected to the inlet pipe 68. The supply pipe 69 is also connected to a plurality of substantially identical spray stations, the illustrated device being provided with three spray stations 71, 72 and 73 spaced longitudinally along the lower belt reach 33B. The spray stations are identical and thus only the spray station 72 will be described in detail.

The spray station 72, as illustrated in FIG. 4, includes a pair of upright pipes 74 positioned adjacent the opposite sidewalls 18, which pipes 74 are provided with spray nozzles 76 adjacent their upper ends. The nozzles 76 are directed toward one another but are horizontally spaced apart by a substantial distance to thus permit empty containers C2 as supported on the lower belt reach 333 to be moved horizontally therebetween. The upright pipes 74 are interconnected by a conventional cross pipe 77 which has a further spray nozzle 78 pro vided substantially at the midpoint thereof. The spray nozzle 78 is directed upwardly and is substantially aligned with the midpoint of the lower belt reach 338 so as to spray directly into the open interior of the containers C2 as they move longitudinally through the chamber 27. The housing 12 is also provided with a suitable drain outlet 79 whereby the cleaning fluid which collects within the bottom of the housing is thus permitted to flow by gravity into a conventional drain line for discharge to an external location.

OPERATION The operation of the device will be briefly described in insure a complete understanding thereof.

In utilization of the washer 11, conventional unwashed containers C1 are positioned on the upper belt reach 33 in the vicinity of the magnet 57. The containers C1 are disposed in their normal upright position so that the lower closed ends of the containers are attracted to the magnet 57 to thus maintain the containers securely positioned on the belt 33. Movement of belt 33 causes the unwashed containers C1 to move around the pulley 31 where they are magnetically maintained on the belt by the magnet 66. The containers are then carried by the lower belt reach 33B and are moved longitudinally through the tunnel-like washing chamber 27. The containers located within the washing chamber, designated C2, are suspended from the lower belt reach 333 so that the containers are now inverted with the lower ends of the containers being open. The containers, as they move through the tunnel-like spray chamber 27, pass over the lower spray nozzles 78 whereby cleaning fluid, such as steam or hot water, is directed upwardly into the interior of the containers C2 for permitting washing and sterilizing of same.

Similarily, the containers pass between the nozzles 76 so that the external walls of the containers are also washed and sterilized. The containers move longitudinally through the spray tunnel 27 and successively pass the washing stations 71, 72 and 73, whereupon the containers then travel around the opposite pulley 32. The containers, when traveling around the pulley 32, are magnetically maintained in engagement with the belt 33 by the magnet 67. The containers are thus moved upwardly around the pulley 32 onto the upper reach 33A of the belt. The containers are then moved longitudinally along the upper reach until the cleaned and sterilized containers C3 are positioned substantially directly over the other magnet 58. At this point, the washed and sterilized containers C3 are again in their upright position whereby they are then discharged from the conveyor 13 and supplied directly to a filling machine or the like.

The unwashed containers Cl and the washed and sterilized containers C3 can be respectively supplied to and removed from the upper belt reach 33A either by auxiliary conveyors or by any other conventional container transporting structure. One such auxiliary system is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein there is provided an inlet conveyor 81 of conventional construction having one end thereof positioned directly adjacent the conveyor belt 33 in the vicinity of the magnet 57. The conveyor 81 supplies unwashed containers C1, and is provided with a conventional diverter 82 adjacent the end thereof, which diverter causes the containers to be fed onto the upper reach 33A of the washer conveyor belt. The containers C1 then pass through the washer apparatus in the manner described above, whereupon the washed and sterilized containers C3 are again returned to the upper belt reach 33A whereupon they come into engagement with a further diverter 83 which is secured to the end ofa further conventional discharge conveyor 84 whereby the containers are automatically removed from the washing apparatus.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the conveyors 81 and 84 are each positioned to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyor belt 33, with the diverters 82 and 83 causing the containers to be diverted through an angle of approximately to thus permit the containers to be fed onto and off of the conveyor belt33 directly in the vicinity of the magnets 57 and 58, respectively. However, it will be recognized that the conveyors 81 and 84 could be positioned at any other desired angle relative to the conveyor belt 33 for permitting the feeding of cans toward and away from the washer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further variation of the present invention wherein the containers are supplied to and discharged from the washing apparatus by means of a single auxiliary conveyor. Particularly, FIG. 6 illustrates a fragment of a conventional conveyor 86, which conveyor 86 is positioned closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the conveyor 13. The conveyor 86 has its conveying member disposed adjacent the upper reach 33A and travelling in the opposite direction. The unwashed containers C1 are supplied along the conveyor 86 and engage a diverter 87 which causes the containers to undergo a change of direction of approximately so that the containers are fed onto the upper reach of the belt 33A in the vicinity of the magnet 57. The unwashed containers C1 then pass downwardly into the spray tunnel 27 as described above,

whereupon the washed and sterilized containers C3 are then passed upwardly onto the upper end of the upper belt reach 33A. The washed containers C3 then engage still a further'diverter 88 which is positioned in the vicinity of the magnet 58, whereupon the washed containers again have their direction of travel changed approximately l80 so that the washed containers C3 are again moved onto the conveying member of the conveyor 86 for discharge to an external point, such as to a filling machine.

FIG. 7 diagramatically illustrates still a further manner in which containers can be supplied to and removed from the magnetic conveyor 13 of the present invention. The FIG. 7 embodiment illustrates the use of two auxiliary conveyors 91 and 92 positioned substantially parallel with and disposed on opposite sides of the magnetic conveyor 13. The unwashed containers are supplied on the inlet conveyor 91 and engage a suitable diverter structure 93 which causes the containers to be laterally displaced onto the upper belt reach 33A in the vicinity of the magnet 57. The containers then travel around the magnetic conveyor 13 and are washed and sterilized in the manner described above, with the washed and sterilized containers C3 again being transferred back onto the upper belt reach 33A. The containers are then moved by the conveyor belt 33A into engagement with a further diverter 94 which causes the washed and sterilized containers C3 to be laterally transferred onto the discharge conveyor 92.

The present invention, as is apparent from the three exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7, thus permits containers to be washed and sterilized in a simple and efficient manner without requiring the use of external inverters inasmuch as the containers are inverted for washing purposes within the apparatus of the present invention, which apparatus then reinverts the containers to their upright position prior to discharge. This is highly desirable since it permits the containers to be supplied to the washing apparatus in an upright condition, and at the same time permits the containers to be discharged from the washing apparatus in an upright position. This eliminates the need for costly and bulky inverter structures located externally of the washing apparatus. Further, elimination of such inverter devices permits the containers to be moved through the washing apparatus at a greater flow rate, thereby permitting the washing and sterilizing operation to be performed in a more efficient manner.

A further advantage of the present invention derives from the fact that the conveyor belt 33 is of a flat and continuous construction so that the containers can thus be continuously supplied onto the conveyor belt without requiring the use of spacing structure, such as star wheels and the like, for controlling the feeding of containers onto the conveyor belt. This is particularly desirable in that it permits the washing apparatus of the present invention to be readily utilized with containers of widely varying sizes and shapes, and also permits the device to be readily converted for use with different types and sizes of containers without requiring any structural modification of the machine. Further, by utilizing pulleys 31 and 32 of approximately 12 inches in diameter, and by utilizing a belt width of approximately 8 inches, containers of extremely large capacity, such as gallon containers, can be conveniently and efficiently washed and sterilized on the apparatus of the present invention.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A washing apparatus. particularly for washing magnetically attractable containers open at one end, comprising:

housing means;

conveyor means movable supported on said housing means for transporting containers, said conveyor means including a pair of spaced pulleys rotatably supported on said housing means and an endless conveyor belt extending between and supported on said pulleys;

said endless conveyor belt including first and second spaced and substantially parallel belt reaches extending between said pulleys; first magnet means mounted on said housing means and positioned adjacent said first reach of said conveyor belt, said first magnet means being positioned closely adjacent the inside surface of said first reach for magnetically attracting and holding containers in engagement with said first reach;

second magnet means mounted on said housing means and positioned closely adjacent the inside surface of said second belt reach for magnetically attracting and holding containers on said second reach;

third magnet means associated with one of said pulleys for magnetically attracting and holding containers in engagement with the portion of the conveyor belt passing around said one pulley for permitting containers to be transferred between said first and second reaches;

fourth magnet means associated with said other pulley for magnetically attracting and holding containers in engagement with the portion of the conveyor belt disposed in engagement with said other pulley for permitting containers to be transferred between said first and second reaches; and

spray means including nozzle means positioned for spraying cleaning liquid into said containers when they are magnetically held on one of said reaches. 2. A washing apparatus according to claim 1, including drive means associated with one of said pulleys for driving said conveyor belt in a direction so as to cause the washed containers held on said one reach to pass around said one pulley onto the other reach, and means associated with said other reach for permitting the cleaned containers to be removed from said conveyor means.

3. A washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second belt reaches are disposed substantially horizontally and said first belt reach is disposed vertically above said second belt reach;

said housing means including wall means defining an elongated tunnel-like chamber extending longitudinally along and beneath said second belt reach; and

said spray means being disposed within said chamber and positioned for spraying containers as they are moved through said chamber by said second belt reach.

4. A washing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first magnet means includes first and second magnets positioned closely adjacent and directly under said first belt reach, said first and second magnets being spaced from one another in the longitudinally extending direction of said first belt reach.

5. A washing apparatus according to claim 3, further including first means associated with said conveyor means for permitting upright containers open at their upper ends to be supplied to the upper reach of said conveyor belt, and second means associated with said conveyor means for permitting the washed upright containers on said upper reach to be discharged to an external location.

6. A washing apparatus according to claim 5, further therefrom to an external location. 

1. A washing apparatus, particularly for washing magnetically attractable containers open at one end, comprising: housing means; conveyor means movable supported on said housing means for transporting containers, said conveyor means including a pair of spaced pulleys rotatably supported on said housing means and an endless conveyor belt extending between and supported on said pulleys; said endless conveyor belt including first and second spaced and substantially parallel belt reaches extending between said pulleys; first magnet means mounted on said housing means and positioned adjacent said first reach of said conveyor belt, said first magnet means being positioned closely adjacent the inside surface of said first reach for magnetically attracting and holding containers in engagement with said first reach; second magnet means mounted on said housing means and positioned closely adjacent the inside surface of said second belt reach for magnetically attracting and holding containers on said second reach; third magnet means associated with one of said pulleys for magnetically attracting and holding containers in engagement with the portion of the conveyor belt passing around said one pulley for permitting containers to be transferred between said first and second reaches; fourth magnet means associated with said other pulley for magnetically attracting and holding containers in engagement with the portion of the conveyor belt disposed in engagement with said other pulley for permitting containers to be transferred between said first and second reaches; and spray means including nozzle means positioned for spraying cleaning liquid into said containers when they are magnetically held on one of saiD reaches.
 2. A washing apparatus according to claim 1, including drive means associated with one of said pulleys for driving said conveyor belt in a direction so as to cause the washed containers held on said one reach to pass around said one pulley onto the other reach, and means associated with said other reach for permitting the cleaned containers to be removed from said conveyor means.
 3. A washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second belt reaches are disposed substantially horizontally and said first belt reach is disposed vertically above said second belt reach; said housing means including wall means defining an elongated tunnel-like chamber extending longitudinally along and beneath said second belt reach; and said spray means being disposed within said chamber and positioned for spraying containers as they are moved through said chamber by said second belt reach.
 4. A washing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first magnet means includes first and second magnets positioned closely adjacent and directly under said first belt reach, said first and second magnets being spaced from one another in the longitudinally extending direction of said first belt reach.
 5. A washing apparatus according to claim 3, further including first means associated with said conveyor means for permitting upright containers open at their upper ends to be supplied to the upper reach of said conveyor belt, and second means associated with said conveyor means for permitting the washed upright containers on said upper reach to be discharged to an external location.
 6. A washing apparatus according to claim 5, further including motor means drivingly connected to one of said pulleys for rotating same, whereby the unwashed containers as positioned on the upper belt reach pass around one of said pulleys and travel through the spray chamber in an inverted position, whereupon the containers as disposed on the lower belt reach are washed, the washed containers then passing around the other pulley back onto the upper belt reach for discharge to said external location.
 7. A washing apparatus according to claim 3, further including means associated with said upper belt reach for permitting washed containers to be discharged therefrom to an external location. 